Health insurance issuers in the Marketplace can rate consumers based on their age, geographic region, tobacco use, and family size. The U.S. Center for Consumer Information & Insurance Oversight has sorted all of Texas’ 254 counties into 26 different “geographic rating areas,” across which insurance premiums may vary. Issuers cannot charge a person more based on their health status or gender, and can charge older consumers no more than three times the rate for younger consumers due to their age. Consumers who smoke may be charged up to 50 percent more than the base rate, and consumers who purchase family plans may be charged more based on the size of their family.

Aside from these individual rating factors, premiums will vary depending on the plan selected. Plans in the Marketplace will be offered in four metal tiers: bronze, silver, gold, and platinum. Plans in each tier will offer comparable benefits, but at varying levels of cost-sharing. A plan, for example, in the bronze category covers, on average, only 60 percent of overall enrollee medical costs (with the remaining 40 percent paid for out-of-pocket through deductibles, copays, and coinsurance), while a silver plan contributes 70 percent and a gold plan 80 percent, for example. Plans in higher metal tiers can be expected to have a higher monthly premium since consumers are paying to have a lower deductibles and copays. The size of your premium tax credit will be calculated using the rate for the 2nd lowest-cost silver plan in the Marketplace, discussed below.

What about Subsidies?

In Texas, individuals and families with household income between 100% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) will be eligible to receive premium tax credits to help make monthly premiums more affordable. Persons at varying levels of poverty will be required to pay no more than a certain percentage of their income towards health insurance, using the 2nd lowest cost silver plan as a base rate for calculating the subsidy amount. For example, the cost of the 2nd lowest-cost silver plan can be no more than 8.05% of income for an individual at 250% FPL. But for an individual at 133% FPL, the cost of the 2nd lowest-cost silver plan is capped at 3% of income. The subsidy can subsequently be applied to plans in other metal coverage tiers, such as bronze or gold.

At the Center for Public Policy Priorities, we believe in a Texas that offers everyone the chance to compete and succeed in life. We envision a Texas where everyone is healthy, well-educated, and financially secure. We want the best Texas - a proud state that sets the bar nationally by expanding opportunity for all.
CPPP is an independent public policy organization that uses data and analysis to advocate for solutions that enable Texans of all backgrounds
to reach their full potential. We dare Texas to be the best state for
hard-working people and their families.

1 Comment

The CMS data on lowest premium rates by area is very misleading in that Texas only has 25 rating areas, each of which corresponds to a MSA, plus a 26th category for “everywhere else”. For example the lowest Silver premiums in “Area 26” just happen to be exactly the same as in the Austin-Round Rock MSA (Area 3). I am pretty certain that we will find these rates only apply in one or two counties adjacent to Austin, such as Blanco, Burnet, Fayette, Lee or Milam. The other rural counties which comprise “Area 26” will have very different rates and availability of plans.

Also while I was excited to read about the lowest Silver rates in Austin, which is lower than all except The Valley and San Antonio, I noticed that the second lowest Silver rate was 21% higher! With 30 different Silver plans on offer, you would not expect to see much difference in premium between the lowest and second lowest premium. Oddly the lowest Gold premium is less than the second lowest Silver.

So I guess we will have to wait until October to see what the rates really are.